When a kind zookeeper in New York's Central Park Zoo gave an abandoned egg to a lone male chinstrap penguin who had no egg to hatch, the grateful male and his best friend carefully cosseted and protected the egg until a fluffy baby was born. With devoted care and gentle husbandry, the baby Tango grew to be a loving member of the zoo's penguin colony. Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell's award-winning children's book about the orphan egg that was saved, called 'And Tango Makes Three,' tells a story of generosity and devotion that is an excellent lesson for us all. Somehow, the lesson was lost on Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick, III.

When a teacher's assistant complained about the book to the Principal of Sugarland Elementary, saying it promoted homosexuality, the principal convened a review committee. After consultation, the review committee recommended the book remain in the library. The assistant appealed to Hatrick, who convened his own committee, and left the book on Sugarland's shelves. But, after a second appeal, on January 28, Hatrick changed his mind, overruled two committees' decisions, and had the book removed from the shelves. Why did he do this, you may inquire? Does the school superintendent have authority that supersedes both school review committees, and the first amendment? No. He does not.

Upon reflection, and in the wake of a cacophony of complaints, the good superintendent decided that, because the teacher's assistant who launched the protest had no child in the school, the complaint was invalid, and he returned the tale of Tango to the library shelves. Was there another reason he reviewed his hasty decision? We certainly hope so. Is there a lesson here? Yes, definitely, for the superintendent, for the children and for us all.